YOUTH TEAMS

YELLOW JACKETS NORTH

YJN YOUTH INTRODUCTION & KEY AREAS

Our youth lacrosse program, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where every player, regardless of background or skill level, feels welcomed and valued. Our skilled coaches are adept at tailoring drills and coaching methods to suit the age and developmental stage of each player, ensuring that younger players receive clear, age-appropriate instruction and ample time to master fundamental skills. We prioritize providing specific, constructive feedback that emphasizes effort and improvement rather than solely focusing on outcomes. By concentrating on these key areas (see below), our program effectively supports the growth and enjoyment of young players while cultivating a positive and encouraging atmosphere.

  • Skill Development

    Fundamentals: We emphasize basic skills such as passing, catching, shooting, and defensive techniques.  The coaches tailor drills to the players' age and skill levels.

    Positioning: We teach players about different positions and responsibilities on the field to help them understand the game better.

  • Physical Fitness

    Conditioning: We incorporate age-appropriate conditioning exercises to improve endurance, speed, and agility through our drills.

    Injury Prevention: We focus on stretching and strength-building exercises to help prevent injuries and promote overall fitness.

  • Player Enjoyment

    Fun: Our practices are designed to foster a love for the sport.

    Motivation: Our coaches use positive reinforcement to build players’ confidence and keep them motivated to improve and participate.

  • Teamwork and Sportsmanship

    Collaboration: We encourage teamwork through drills, practices, and games. We want players to work together and communicate effectively.

    Respect: Through our coaching style we teach the importance of respect for teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials.

  • Game Understanding

    Rules and Strategy: Through our practices and games we educate players about lacrosse rules and basic game strategies, including offensive and defensive plays.

    Game Situations: We use scrimmages and game-like scenarios during practice to help players apply their skills in real-game situations.

  • Long Term Development

    Progression: We design our youth program in lockstep with our middle school and high school programs. We plan for long-term player development by gradually increasing the complexity of skills and strategies as players grow older and more skilled.

    Pathways: We offer opportunities for players to advance to higher levels of play, within our program.

    2nd/3rd: Will have an opportunity to play in 4 a 4-week session that follows our program's curriculum.

OUR PROGRAMS CURRICULUM 

Our program offers students in grades K - 5 a unique chance to engage in off-season lacrosse with a focus on fun and development rather than pressure. We aim to cultivate fundamental skills and teach the team dynamics of the game in a supportive environment. By prioritizing a gradual and enjoyable approach, we believe we can foster a long-term passion for lacrosse, helping each player build key skills, form lasting friendships, and develop a love for the sport. Unlike other programs, our emphasis on a lacrosse-forward environment ensures that athletes grow at their own pace while enjoying the game.

  • Lacrosse skills should be introduced in a way that is engaging, age-appropriate, and simple enough to grasp. At this stage, the focus is on basic motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and fundamental lacrosse techniques. Here’s a breakdown of essential lacrosse skills for this age group:

    Stick Handling

    1. Cradling
      Objective: Teach players how to hold and move the stick while maintaining control of the ball.

    2. Stick Grip
      Objective: Ensure players understand how to hold the stick properly.

    Passing and Catching

    1. Passing
      Objective: Introduce basic passing techniques using both hands.

    2. Catching
      Objective: Help players develop the ability to catch a moving ball.

    Ball Control and Ground Ball

    • Objective: Teach basic ball control and movement with the stick.

    • Objective: Introduce the technique for picking up ground balls.

    Basic Movement and Coordination

    1. Running and Dodging
      Objective: Improve players' movement skills and agility.

    Defensive Skills

    • Objective: Introduce defensive footwork and stick positioning.

    Team Play

    • Objective: Introduce basic concepts of teamwork and positioning.

    Fun and Games

    Skill-Based Games

    • Objective: Reinforce skills through playful and engaging activities.

    PROGRAMS OFFERED:

    Fall

    • K-1 will have an opportunity to play in 4-week sessions

    Winter 

    • K- 1 will have an opportunity to sign up for 5 weeks sessions. 

    Summer

    • K-1 will have an opportunity to sign up for Fun in the Sun, a summer program that starts in June and goes to early July.

  • For this age group, ​​lacrosse skills are built on the fundamentals introduced in earlier grades, with an emphasis on more refined techniques, tactical understanding, and game-play strategies. At this level, players are ready to sharpen their skills and build upon their fundamental skills.  

    Advanced Stick Handling

    1. Cradling
      Objective: Improve control and consistency while moving at various speeds.

    2. Stick Skills
      Objective: Enhance the ability to use the stick effectively in different situations.

    Passing and Catching

    1. Passing
      Objective: Develop accuracy and strength in passing.

    2. Catching
      Objective: Improve catching skills with movement and under pressure.

    Ball Control and Ground Balls

    • Objective: Enhance ball control while moving.

    Ground Balls

    • Objective: Master the technique for picking up ground balls.

    Defensive Skills

    1. Checking
      Objective: Introduce basic checking techniques and defensive positioning.

    2. Positioning
      Objective: Solidify  basic defensive positioning and movement and introduce “defensive help”

    Offensive Skills  

    1. Shooting
      Objective: Improve shooting accuracy and technique.

    Team Concepts

    1. Team Play and Strategy
      Objective: Develop a basic understanding of offensive and defensive strategies.

    Game Play

    1. Scrimmages
      Objective: Apply skills in a game-like setting.

    PROGRAMS OFFERED:

    Fall

    • 2-3 will have an opportunity to play in 4-week sessions

    Winter 

    • 2-3  will have an opportunity to sign up for 5-week sessions. We have 2 5-week sessions. 

    Summer

    • 2-3 will have an opportunity to sign up for summer practices and 7v7 local scrimmages.

  • In this age group, skills are more advanced, with a focus on refining techniques, understanding tactical concepts, and playing in more structured game scenarios. At this stage, players should be able to handle more complex drills and strategies while continuing to develop their fundamental skills.

    Advanced Stick Handling 

    1. Cradling
      Objective: Improve control while moving at different speeds and under pressure. Players should be comfortable playing with both hands. 

    2. Stick Skills
      Objective: Master advanced stick handling techniques, the stick should feel like an extension of them. A wallball routine should be established.

    Passing and Catching

    1. Passing
      Objective: Refine passing accuracy and strength with both hands. 

    2. Catching
      Objective: Enhance catching skills in dynamic situations.

    Offensive Skills

    1. Shooting
      Objective: Improve shooting technique and accuracy, shooting with a purpose

    2. Dodging
      Objective: Develop dodging techniques to evade defenders.

    Defensive Skills

    1. Checking
      Objective: Refine checking techniques and defensive skills.

    2. Defensive Positioning
      Objective: Enhance understanding of defensive positioning and movement.

    Ground Balls and Face-offs

    1. Ground Balls
      Objective: Master the technique for scooping and controlling ground balls.

    2. Draws
      Objective: Introduce basic draw techniques.

    Team Concepts and Strategy

    1. Offensive Plays
      Objective: Teach basic offensive strategies and plays.  Understanding a basic motion. 

    2. Defensive Plays
      Objective: Develop an understanding of defensive strategies. Understanding team defense. 

    Game Play

    1. Scrimmages
      Objective: Apply skills and strategies in a game-like environment.

    PROGRAMS OFFERED:

    Fall

    • 6 fall practices

    • 2-3 local tournaments 

    Winter 

    • 10 winter practices

    • Opportunity for specialty clinics 

    Summer

    • 10-12 summer practices

    • 3-4 tournaments